Clip for electric switches and method of making same.



PATENTED OCT. 4, 1904.

0. 0. BADEAU. CLIP FOR ELECTRIC SWITCHES AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

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UNITED STATES Patented October 4, 1904.

PATENT ()EEICE.

CLIP FOR ELECTRIC SWITCHES AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 771,222, dated October 4, 1904.

Application filed June 1,1903. Serial Ila-159,621. (N0 model.)

T 0 all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES CUSHING BA- DEAU, a citizen of the United States, residing at Swissvale, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented or discovered a certain new and useful Improvement in Clips for Electric Switches and Methods of Making the Same, of which improvement the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved construction of clips or double contact-plates for that class of electric switches known as knifeswitches. in which the movable member of the switch is inserted edgewise between a pair of oppositely-disposed bars or plates, making contact with the respective inner faces of both such contact-plates. In this classof switches as now usually constructed the oppositely-disposed bars or plates which together form the clip are brazed or otherwise secured to a suitable conducting-support. I have discovered a method by which these bars and their support may be made in one piece, thus not only reducing the cost of manufacture and installation, but materially improving the conductivity of the complete switch.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the blank from which my improved clip is made. Fig. 2 is a perspective View of my improved clip, and Fig. 3 a view in a plan of an electric switch of simple form embodying the same.

In the practice of my invention I cut off a suitable length of tubing 1, of conducting material, preferably copper, and bisect the same for aportion of its length by means of opposite incisions or slots 2, thus forming a blank having a cylindrical neck or socket 3 and integral therewith a pair of oppositely-disposed extensions or arms 4, Fig. 1. These arms or extensions 4 I then flatten by any suitable means, converting them into oppositely-disposed contact-plates still integral with the cylindrical neck portion. The corners of the plates may then be rounded and the edges beveled, as shown in Fig. 2, to guide the movable member or knife of the switch into position between the plates.

In Fig. 3 I have illustrated a simple form of switch embodying a pair of my improved clips. The movable member or blade 5 of the switch is pivoted at one end by the pin 6 between the plates of one of the clips, 7, and is provided at its other end with the usual handle 8, of insulating material, so that it may be moved manually into and out of position between the plates of the other clip, 9.

Connection is preferably made to the line by means of a conducting-plug 10, screwed into the cylindrical socket of each clip, the line conductors being connected to said plugs in any suitable manner. I prefer to insert a pin 11, Fig. 3, in the clip, with which the movable arm makes and breaks contact to limit the inward movement of the arm.

It is obvious that the opposite plates of my improved clip will possess a considerable degree of resiliency and bind firmly upon the movable member of the switch to make good electrical contact therewith. The clip also possesses the advantage that there are no joints to become loosened and so reduce the conductivity. The slots cut in the blank may be of any desired width, dependent upon the width desired for the plates when finished.

I claim as my invention- 1. The method of making a clip for electric switches, which consists in longitudinally bisecting a piece of tubing of conducting material for a portion of its length, and flattening each of the separated portions, substantially as described.

2. A clip for electric switches formed from tubing of conducting material, having a por tion thereof divided into two opposite flat plates to adapt it to receive the movable member of the switch, and a portion thereof cylindrical for connection to the line, substantially as described.

3. A clip for electric switches having in combination a body portion and oppositelydisposed flattened extensions at one end of the body portion forming spring-plates parallel with the axis of the body portion, said body portion having an axial opening therein for the reception of a conducting plug or wire, substantially as set forth. v

4:. A clip for electric switches having in combination a body portion and oppositely- In testimony whereof I have hereunto set disposed flattening extensions at one end of the my hand.

body portion forming spring-plates parallel w i 1 With the axis of the body portion, said body CHARLEb (JUSHINCT BADEAU' 5 portion having athreaded axial opening there- Witnesses:

1n for the reception of a oondnctlng plug or F. E. GAITI-IER,

Wire, substantially as set forth. MARSHALL A. GnRIsTY. 

